Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Folks,
I've heard a lot recently about people talking about the dangers of sanding Forgeworld resin without any protection (e.g. Sand mask). Looking on the Forgeworld guide to assembling their models however, I noticed this paragraph:

"Dust Mask
The resin that we use has no inherent health risks, but we do recommend
a dust mask if you are filing or sanding – as with any fine substance, resin
dust can be an irritant."

So what's the reality - have people over reacted? Is this paragraph dangerously understating the risk? Has there been a new Forgeworld resin snuck into production that clears up the common problem?

I have never had any issues with my Forgeworld stuff then again I haven't taken on a big project that requires lots of trimming/sanding.

I would defiantly wear a mask if sanding but if your just using a hobby knife you should be fine.

Nah, it's not understating the risk.

There's no real danger if you're using a hobby knife or clippers, as Casper said, but when you're doing a lot of filing and sanding--wear a dust mask in a properly ventilated area, or file/sand the piece immersed underwater in a container.

You don't have to dunk your model to sand it, just wet a metal jewelry file and wet sand the model that way. Or just wear the dust mask they aren't expensive.

Honestly, unless you WORK at Forgeworld, I highly doubt that sanding some nubs off half a dozen models a year is any worse for you than what's in the air we breathe, water we drink, or food we eat. Do I wear a dust mask and safety glasses when I'm machining/sanding anything? Yes, it's the common sense thing to do. Do I fear for my aiblity to procreate or live to the ripe, old age of 90 because of deadly, FW resin dust? No, whatever's going to kill me ain't the residue of a super-heavy or titan...

KingmanHighborn wrote:You don't have to dunk your model to sand it, just wet a metal jewelry file and wet sand the model that way. Or just wear the dust mask they aren't expensive.

Dunking it has a benefit you're missing.

All the dust you've filed/sanded off?

It goes right into the water, making clean up as simple as dumping out the water.

Personally I always wear a dusk when sanding resin, if it's something like a Titan I wear eye protection too. If your just trimming it with a knife no dust is generated so you don't need to bother with the mask.

If you are using any sort of power tool, you'll want use a mask and do your work outside. Then again, you'll want to do that with metal, too. If you're using hand tools, you can do without a mask. Just clean up properly when you're done and don't make a billowing cloud of dust when you do it.

I would say not to use a power tool for the most part on resin. If you go above the first speed, you're likely to heat the resin up quite a bit and potentially break some details off.

Hand tools are the best, unless you're cutting through some big pour blocks.

You don't really want to breathe the dust in. Wet the model and sand paper is one way. The other is do to as much of the work as possible by cutting the bulk of the waste resin off with a knife, because lumps of resin are harmless, then just finish off with a bit of sandpaper - minimum of mess. It's the dust that comes off sawing and filing which is unhealthy, it's best to avoit sitting there with dust in the air all around.